Worthing Pier

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Part of Worthing Pier

Worthing Pier is a pier in Worthing, West Sussex, England. Designed by Sir Robert Rawlinson, it was opened on 12 April 1862 and remains open. The pier originally was a simple promenade deck 960ft (291m) long and 15ft (4.6m) wide. In 1888 the pier was upgraded with the width increased to 30ft (9.2m) and the pier head increased to 105ft (32m) for a 650-seat pavilion to be built.

In 1897 a steam ship began operation between Worthing Pier and the Chain Pier in Brighton, twelve miles to the east.

In March 1913 the pier was damaged in a storm, with only the southern end remaining, completely cut off from land. A rebuilt pier was opened on 29 May 1914.

In September 1933 the pier and all but the northern pavilion were destroyed by fire. In 1935 the remodelled Art Deco pier was opened, and it is this that remains today.

Worthing Pier was sectioned in 1940 for fear of German invasion after the retreat at Dunkirk. [1] A large hole was also blown in the pier to prevent it being used as a possible landing stage in the event of invasion. [2]

The pier is owned by Worthing Borough Council (formerly the Worthing Corporation).

The Pavilion Theatre and Denton Cafe is situated at the northern, land end of the pier; at the middle is the 1935 amusement arcade, which from 1956 - 2006 carried a distinctive 'New Amusements' sign that was featured on the cover of the album To See the Lights (1996) by Britpop band Gene. Since 2006 the sign has changed from 'New Amusements' to 'Pier Amusements'.

The Southern Pavilion (the sea end) is currently unused, although it is let to a nightclub operator. Known as 'Lush' (formerly 'Rutherfords') the nightclub was shut down in early 2006. It has previously been used as a cafe, dance hall and to house a model railway layout. Currently it is home to a nightclub named The Pier, which opened on 20th December 2007.

[edit] Popular culture

The pier is prominent in Cut la Roc's video for his song "Fallen" which features Gary Lightbody, at one point, throwing a ball through a glass window on the pier.[3]